Accurate detection and diagnosis of infectious diseases is paramount to appropriate treatment and better outcomes. Despite tremendous efforts to advance new diagnostic techniques, there are still critical gaps in the healthcare system in quickly diagnosing and responding to infectious diseases. Current diagnostic technologies identify pathogens by detecting nucleic acids or antibody proteins produced by the immune system. However, these technologies require healthcare settings with basic equipment, electricity and a skilled technician, which are difficult to achieve in remote settings. Additionally, the temperature needs of nucleic acid interactions, costs associated with synthesizing modified nucleic acids, and the limited number of reliable low-cost readout methods further hampers quick and low-cost point-of-care (POC) diagnostics.
Researchers at the Biodesign Institute of Arizona State University have developed a novel suite of technologies for rapid and efficient pathogen detection. These paper-based tests use embedded and programmable biomolecular computing components to eliminate the need for outside intervention or additional information processing for use in a variety of low-instrument settings such as homes and non-hospital clinics. These biomolecular components are instrumental to reducing false negatives, increasing assay specificity and sensitivity and more importantly allowing this platform to transition to use in broader and more diverse care settings. These technologies have also been adapted for detecting mutations in circulating cell-free DNA in plasma or other bodily fluids for detecting and managing cancer.
This suite of technologies comprises novel riboregulators, artificial translational repressors, riboswitches, and aptamer-based sensors that come together to create a powerful POC platform for detection of pathogen analytes in a simple, low-cost and rapid manner.
Potential Applications
• Pathogen detection
o Viral, bacterial, parasitic organism diagnostics (Zika, Ebola, Dengue, Chikungunya, etc.)
o Detecting antibiotic resistance
o Pathogen surveillance
• Cancer detection, surveillance and management
Benefits and Advantages
• Low-cost paper-based diagnostics
• Test results require reduced outside intervention or additional information processing
• Single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) sensitivity
• Ultralow leakage/off state signal levels
• Activation of gene expression well over 100-fold
• Repression of gene expression by well over 50-fold (98% repression)
• Can detect nearly arbitrary RNA sequences
• Riboregulators can turn off gene expression in response to a target RNA
o Preserves energy bandwidth of cell-free reactions
o Provides wide dynamic range in diagnostic tests
• The tests can be preserved for stable storage at room temperature with simple reactivation in water
For more information about this opportunity, please see
For more information about the inventor(s) and their research, please see
Dr. Green’s departmental webpage
Dr. Yan’s departmental webpage
Dr. Stephanopoulos’ departmental webpage
Dr. Woodbury’s departmental webpage